Quotable Sunday #8 Anne Frank

Yay!! It's Sunday--so you know what that means, right?? Another round of Quotable Sunday. Head on over to A Daily Dose of Toni, to sign in and read all about it. It's mostly a group of quotation loving bloggers who get together each week and share quotes and then make the rounds and read each other quotes and comment (we all LOVE comments--right :)


This week, yet another of my favorite people to go to for quotes--Anne Frank. I hope you these quotes inspire, encourage and strengthen. Have a wonderful week....

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.

Boys will be boys. And even that wouldn't matter if only we could prevent girls from being girls.

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.

I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.

No one has ever become poor by giving.

Aloha Friday #8

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.


Ok...here is my question for today. It's a pretty easy one. Tell us three adjectives that describe your day today.

My day? crazy, hectic, irritating (I have to go to the doctor's office-enough said?? LOL!!)

Update:Thanks for all who stopped by last week. I love that there are SO many other people who love to read as much as I do and there are SO many other good top five lists out there. The Bible was on the majority of the lists :) and Twilight--LOL!

Wordful Wednesday-St. Joseph

Prayer to St. Joseph over 1900 years old
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God,

I place in you all my interests and desires.

O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession

and obtain for me from your Divine Son

all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord;

so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power

I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers.

O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms.

I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.

Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me,

and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen

Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1500's it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle.
Whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.
Make this prayer known everywhere.

St. Joseph's Feast Day was last week (March 19th). St. Joseph is truly a wonderful patron Saint and a powerful intercessor. Think of what a wonderful Father he was to Jesus. Also, think of all of the struggles or challenges he had to face in the bible-yet he faced them and did them gracefully.

To find out more about St. Joseph, check out my main website.

Quotable Sunday #7 Helen Keller

Yay! Another Sunday...another round of Quotable Sunday. Check in at A Daily Dose of Toni--make the rounds, read the quotes and of course--leave comments :) It's a lot of fun. If you are a quote fanatic, please visit my main website. I have been doing a monthly quote page for years (maybe a decade...LOL!!) It is NOT indexed or in ANY way organized...SOMEDAY!!

Anyway, my theme for this week is Helen Keller. Along with Bl. Mother Teresa, she is one of my favorite sources for quotes. I just think that Helen Keller is such a strong woman--she overcame so much-and her quotes always make me feel very inspired or encouraged. Hope something touches your heart as well. Have a wonderful Sunday.

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.

Aloha Friday #7

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am an AVID reader so this week's question is going to be about reading. You are going to be stuck on a deserted island and only get to take FIVE books with you--which books are you going to take with you and why??

Me? I would first bring along the Bible as it has EVERYTHING--even poetry. The second book would have to be Jane Austen--probably Sense & Sensibility. I have just always enjoyed Austen's writing style (and have read all of her works--even the more obscure books.) The third book would be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Again-just beautiful writing and a timeless story. Number four would probably be the book I am reading now--Breaking Dawn (just for a contemporary book) and Number Five would be the Velveteen Rabbit (my alltime fave children's story).

Ok..your turn--don't be shy--leave your comments--and Have a Super Weekend :)

Aw Shucks! My first Award {Blush}

Thanks SO much Kimberly from She Scribes for giving this blog my VERY first award. Kimberly is one of those bloggers who always takes time out to respond to questions (no matter how CRAZY--LOL!! and is just a really nice person!!) She always has something going on at her blog--great giveaways too, so check it out.





Anyway, according to the award--I need to post a little something and then pass it along to five other people so without further ado....

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to those bloggers who must choose at least 5 more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

Piera Jolly Mom

Crystal Bead Happily Ever
"SuperJaxster" Life With Four Purrs

Kristin Babysites

Karen Karen's Catholic Journal

Ann Ann Dennis Author Page

I hope that you will check out these great sites and maybe you will find a NEW favorite blog :)

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday #7

Today is Our Lady of Mercy's Feast Day.

Here is a prayer:

Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay you with praise and thanks for having rescued a fallen world by your generous consent!

Receive our gratitude, and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins.

Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to make our peace with God.

Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God.

May all who venerate you feel now your help and protection.

Be ready to help us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers.

Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God, for you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns forever.

Amen.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What are your St. Patrick's Day memories?

For me, St. Patrick's Day always makes me think of "wearing of the green" in fear of getting PINCHED!!

Also, my mom would always make corned beef and cabbage (blech!) I could not STAND the smell of it then and (with age and -ahem-maturity) I still haven't acquired the taste for it.

What else? Of course, shamrocks (and shamrock shakes at McD's..LOL!!) and

can't forget the leprechauns (and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow).

So...now's it's your turn...come on...don't be shy...

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day

Check out 123 Greetings if you wish to send a cool St. Pat's Day e-card.

Another Round of doctors...another round of prayers answered but questions unanswered...

Okay, I went and saw a BUNCH of docs lately (and still have a few more to go see)...but the important news is this--my lungs are completely CLEAR. WOO HOO!! No more nodules. Doing a happy dance. My lung doc informed me that the "stuff--i.e. nodules were quite large--and also were numerous. He wasn't very happy to find out that my rheumie was asking me if I would again consider going back on the Enbrel (which my lung doctor believes was the main culprit in lowering my immune system to the crazy level where I got some really weirdo lung infection that basically took over my lungs--kind of like tuberculosis) My rheumatologist, though, (and I can see her side of the picture as well--says how well it helped with my headaches and diarrhea (oops--TMI, I am sorry--but the second ailment was so severe that I literally was homebound because of it. When I was taking Enbrel, it was the first time in almost 25 years that I could really have a somewhat "normal" life--except for ONE thing--my lungs became all gunked up within 2-4 months. So, of course, I just have to deal with the headaches and tummy trouble because I can't go back on that med which crashes my immune system (I am also on 3 other immunosuppresent "chemo" meds and then steroids which don't help matters any.

SIGH!! And STILL, with all of these meds...I have such awful headaches.

As I said...I still have another round of docs to go to--and one of those happen to be the neurologist. So, we shall see what he recommends. He is just THRILLED that I am still alive. Apparently, according to my MRI films, I have a "big hole" in my brain and I should be just grateful to be functioning as well as I am. He is always just amazed at how well I get around (as if I should just be sitting there drooling in the corner or something?? I am not sure what he really expects?? However, I am extremely stubborn--so if anything, they (docs) should all expect me to give them one HECK of a time. LOL!!

Anyway...that's the update for now. Again....thank you SO much for all of your prayers. The power of prayer is JUST amazing--isn't it?? Do you have a story about how the power of prayer in your life?? Do you have any tips for trying to deal with "dueling docs"?

Again--take care and SMILE at a stranger :)

Gentle hugs

Quotable Sunday #6

Yay...it's Sunday...so you know what that means?? Another round of Quotable Sunday. Don't forget to go to Toni's site and sign in and check out everyone's quotes (and everyone LOVES to see comments!! even me--hint hint!! LOL!) This week, I chose one of my all time favorite sources for quotations--Mother Teresa. Let me know which one is your favorite. Have a WONDERFUL Sunday :)

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you catch souls.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?

Aloha Friday #6

Aloha everyone!It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha
Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer

.
Happy Friday 13th, everyone :) and Welcome to Aloha Friday #6. What is the BEST advice a parent (or grandparent) ever gave you? Will you in turn pass it along to your kids?


The best advice my mom ever gave me?? When I was a kid, there was this AWFUL bully on our street. She used to just go around terrorizing everyone. Well, eventually, it became MY turn to get my "beating". Although this girl was two years younger that I was, she outweighed me by a good 20 pounds and she was just MEAN!! I went to my mom and said "So and So" wants to beat me up and I am scared. She told me to pretty much call her bluff. Genius, right?? Just say--ok...I'll meet you wherever--can't WAIT!! And guess what?? She never showed up!! Now, of course, who KNOWS what would have happened if she actually would have shown up--I probably would have gotten my butt kicked (but I would have liked to think I could have fought a BIT!!) but seriously..this was the FIRST (and only time, I think) that anyone had stood up to this bully! Anyway, I used this "calling bluff defense" method, several more times throughout grade school and even into highschool and not ONCE did it fail me!! So, thanks, Mom :)

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday #6 First Communion

Yep, this is me on my First Communion Day. (Can you tell it was in the 70's? LOL!)

Favorites

A few of my favorite things?? Geez, I could go on forever....let's see....well..obviously, I think my husband is pretty awesome. He is truly a saint among men!!

I also have to say that I have a sweet little ragdoll cat (when she is not being a monster!!), but that is pretty typical of most three year olds, right?? Of course, I love ALL Ragdolls (really most cats--all right, just call me an animal lover!! I love most animals except maybe snakes!!) My fave BIG animals would probably be the big cats like tigers or lions--just gorgeous and I just love dolphins. I think that they are just so happy and smart.

I have a tremendous love of our Lord who is constantly guiding my life and without Him, I would be nothing. Also, my faith keeps me from becoming very sorrowful as I deal with my CNS lupus and all of the other problems that go with it. Without my faith, I really don't know how I could have survived one day. Prayer works in such powerful ways in my life and I would have to say we have had several "mini-miracles".

I have friends that have been loyal to me and who I know I can call anytime day or night and they would be there for me--whenever I need them--without question or complaint. That is what a true friend is!

Although I have a small "biological family", I have sort of made my own family--been adopted by sisters, and aunties, etc all over the nation. It can never replace your true family but sometimes you do need to have someone around (especially if you live far away from your family and this is really a wonderful idea for ALL involved!!)

I also LOVE my angels (my guardian angels) and all of my Saints) and of course, I have already mentioned God. Mary, has a very special place in my heart as well.

Books: I am a voracious reader. I sometimes have four or five books going at a time. I just LOVE to read...have been reading ever since I was a kid (thanks, Mom and Dad for giving me such a wonderful addiction!!) Anyway, I read pretty much ALL genres except for ONE--western. Just have never been able to get into those. Anything else--I will at least pick it up and read a chapter or two. What book would I take on a deserted island? That's totally easy--the Bible, of course, It has everything--even POETRY!!

Movies--let's just say...I LOVE TCM (Turner Classic Movie Channel--pretty much whatever is on that channel is something that I would like to watch. I just LOVE the classic movies. Call me an old fogy--but I really don't like all of the violence, all of the nudity, cursing, etc. When did it become necessary in order to tell a GREAT story??? And it just seems like our youth has become so used to it--that is what is REALLY scary!! If you go to my profile, you can see all of my favorite books and movies--I don't want to BORE you with all of the DETAILS--but if I could only take ONE movie somewhere--I would probably pick Gone With the Wind (have seen umpteen bazillion times but I just LOVE it!! You just KNOW Rhett is going to come back through those doors, don't ya?)

Other things I love??

Sounds: rain on the roof, children's laughter, someone with a beautiful voice sing the Ave Maria (that will bring tears to my eyes!!), the waves crashing on the beach, windchimes tinkling in the wind...

Smells--I love the smell of our church :) (the candles and incense), fresh bread baking, the saltiness of the ocean, , vanilla, my hubby has the BEST smell!!), a baby fresh out of a bath--all powdered!

Tastes-Cupcakes (I am a CUPCAKE fiend!! Cupcakes are great!!), Lobster Tails (yummy!!) guacamole (Tom makes some KILLER guac!!), mangos

Places: Hawaii (we were married there so it will ALWAYS have my heart :), Paris, France (for some reason, I feel SO connected to Paris. Before I had the stroke, we were able to travel there a number of times and each time I would get that feeling like I have lived a life here before, you know?? So weird. Just love it there, though, and SOMEDAY, we will get back there!!

About

I am still crazy about my husband after almost 20 years together :) He is my best friend and soul mate--what can be better than that?? Our ragdoll cat thinks that she is our baby and is very spoiled.

I have been diagnosed with CNS lupus for about 15 years and in 2000 I had a stroke (I was 35!) I am on lots of pretty strong meds to deal with the lupus-steroids, 3-4 chemo meds (mostly oral tablets but one is an injection that my hubby has to give me twice a week) I hate these meds (they give me a moon face and I no longer recognize my OWN face) but they do keep me alive so I continue to take them.

I have a wonderful team of doctors (finally), a truly gem of a husband (who loves me NO matter what), good friends, and my faith which keeps me going-without these things--I don't know how I would have survived one day!

All pictures used in this blog are either my own personal photos or are from a subscription photo service (i-clipart, i-stockphoto) unless otherwise notated.

Quotable Sunday #5

Another round of Quotable Sunday. I just love quotations. Bits and pieces of paper are strewn across my house with quotes written on them--things that I have come across in magazines or while reading and I just jot them down as I read. For about 10 years, I have been doing a monthly quotation page (if you are interested in this, you can check it out at my main site)

Anyway, this week's theme is KINDNESS :) Ready...here we go....

No kind action ever stops with itself.

One kind action leads to another.

Good example is followed.

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,

and the roots spring up and make new trees.

The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
-Amelia Earhart

Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
-Philo

We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others.
- Helen Keller

Three things in human life are important.

The first is to be kind.

The second is to be kind.

The third is to be kind.
-Henry James

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others,
cannot keep it from themselves.
-James Barrie

Aloha Friday #5

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

My question this week is this: If you could direct the movie of YOUR life...what would be the Title. Who would you cast as YOU?? Who would cast as supporting cast? (Leading Man? Supporting Actress?) Be Creative! Come on...let your Francis Ford Coppola loose and DIRECT the movie of your life.

Mine? The title would be: As You Wish

Who would I want to star as me? LOL! Geez, that is a hard question...I guess Valerie Bertinelli. I think she is the person I think best suits me in personality and looks. Unless this is a "fantasy" movie and then, of course, I would be a size 2 and blonde!! For my husband--he sort of looks a bit like Tom Selleck so I guess I would choose him (although I would say he would disagree!)

Ok...your turn!! Please don't be shy!!







Update: Thanks for everyone who stopped by last week :) and a HUGE thanks, too, for all those who still took the time to comment even though they might not have been participating in Lent. Also, I was remiss in remembering those who are preparing for Passover as well. Anyway, there were thirteen responses and here are results: (Drumroll....please...)

Not giving up anything or Not participating in Lent-5
Giving up chocolate/sweets-4
Giving up Soda-1
Getting up earlier/Writing More-1
Participating in Passover-1

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday #5

This picture has always brought me peace and comfort whenever I have needed it and I hope it does the same for you.

There is a prayer that goes with it. Also, I have included a little explanation I have found that I found interesting.

Gentle hugs,

Shelley

Mother of Perpetual Help, today we face so many difficulties. Your picture tells us so much about you. It reminds us to reach out and help those in need.

Help us understand that our lives belong to others as much as they belong to us. Mary, Model of Christian love, we know we cannot heal every ill or solve every problem. But with God's grace, we intend to do what we can.

May we be true witnesses to the world that love for one another really matters. May our daily actions proclaim how fully our lives are modeled after yours, Mother of Perpetual Help.

The picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour belongs to the group of Passion icons of the 15th century. These paintings are characterized by the symbols of the passion and the austere features of the Madonna and the Child. Around the crowned head of the Madonna are the words "Mother of God". On both sides are the two archangels Michael and Gabriel with their respective names inscribe above their head and holding the instruments of the Passion: St.Michael holding the spear and the sponge and St.Gabriel the Cross. At the sight of the Cross the Child Jesus is stuck by fear his feet strike each other and knock off a struck by fear his feet strike each other and knock off a sandal from this foot and he clings to this mother for support. The features of the Madonna are gave conveying a message of hope and an assurance of help to all those who in identical circumstances will appeal to her for help. These is also a plea in her eyes: do not hurt my Son more by sin and I will help you by his goodness.

To learn more, click here.

Quotable Sunday #4 Friendship Quotes

Another round of Quotation Sunday--I hope you enjoy it as much as I do (I really enjoy visiting everyone's blogs and reading what quotations you have all chosen for the week :) I decided to continue my theme on friendship. Let me know what you think--Thanks and have a great Sunday :)

No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.
-Alice Walker

If one is estranged from oneself, then one is estranged from others too.
If one is out of touch with oneself, then one can not touch others.
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A faithful friend is a strong defence; and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
-Ecclesiasticus 6:14

You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.
-Indira Gandhi

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.
-Thomas Jefferson

Love is blind, but friendship closes its eyes.
-Author Unknown